Point Of Diminishing Returns

[mustang1]

I have been into cigars and around the jungle long enough to know that every now and then you come across a bad stick, a poor example, a geek.

We all have had a stick that just won't draw right, even after a poke or two.

A stick that just won't stay lit, even though you religiously let them rest and store them at the recommended RH.

A smoke that just won't burn right, no matter how many times you attempt to fix it.

This will happen with any brand, but when it happens with a particularly expensive or rare stick...well I get a little pissed.

Now this hasn't happened too often to me, but when it does I feel this strange obligation to my wallet to finish the smoke.

My wallet says " Hey mac, you paid X amount of $ for this, you better see it through!"

Well I guess I'm done with that way of thinking. No I AM done with it!. Smoking cigars is about relaxing and enjoying the smoke. Concentrating on the flavors and experiences. When it gets to be too much like work, regardless of price or availability...I'm gonna say F@#$ IT! Into the stinky and onto the next one.

Ok I'm done, just had two smokes (Opus PL and LGC Serie R Mad.) do this to me in as many days. I know the LGC isn't expensive or rare but it just iced the cake. Am I just being rash, has anyone actually gotten any gratification from sticking it out til' the nub?

[NCRadioMan]

Life is too short. If I get a cigar that just won't cooperate, I spike it into the ground as hard as possible, as a warning to all others.

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Life is too short. If I get a cigar that just won't cooperate, I spike it into the ground as hard as possible, as a warning to all others.

I hear you!! Don't let the bastard win!!!

[Bax]

YELL at the top of your lungs until that damn litle stick listens to you... it doesn't work with my kids either.

[LordOfWu]

I've had the worst luck with bad draws, so I patiently keep working it with the draw poker until, as a last resort, I pull out the ultimate draw poker...a samurai katana! May not be able to smoke it then, but I sure feel better!

[nozero]

Would the draw tools help here? I've been thinking about picking them up myself...

[tchariya]

I had a Punch Punch the other week that wouldn't freakin correct with draw tools. I was mad for like 10 seconds; that is when I decided that it would be fun to dissect it and let everyone see the construction/destruction.

[OtterAKL4987]

I must just have good luck. In the year or so that I have been smoking, I have not had one stick plugged so bad that it was unsmokable. Just plain luck I guess. Of course, now I've officially cursed myself. Good luck the rest of you and happy smoking!

[kvm]

Your thinking is spot on. Spending money on a cigar that won't behave is a sad fact of life. Spending money on a cigar that won't behave and torturing yourself for an hour trying to smoke it is sadistic.

[Troop_lee]

I haven't had one like that in awhile, but I did have the prob with the LGC Serie R Mad as well. Really made me mad because I had been looking forward to trying it. Now if its a bad one, I just sit it down and get another if I have the time.

[Corona Gigante]

I am very surprised you had draw problems with an Opus X. Are you sure it wasn't over humidified? Some cigars are overfilled and will never draw properly, but this is very rarely true of the higher end brands.

And no, I have come to the conclusion that it is never worth trying to smoke a cigar that just won't draw properly. Clip off the cap, take a couple of trial draws, and if it's too tight, dry box it for a couple of days and smoke something else.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by Corona Gigante

...........

And no, I have come to the conclusion that it is never worth trying to smoke a cigar that just won't draw properly. Clip off the cap, take a couple of trial draws, and if it's too tight, dry box it for a couple of days and smoke something else.

Draw pokers can work sometime as can a small drill bit.

(I hate when that happens too)

[Texan in Mexico]

Originally Posted by kvm

Your thinking is spot on. Spending money on a cigar that won't behave is a sad fact of life. Spending money on a cigar that won't behave and torturing yourself for an hour trying to smoke it is sadistic.

I agree - I have been very lucky to only have one real bad one (Cuaba) - its like a gun that malfunctions on you, you can never trust it again - maybe I'm being too harsh but thats my line of thinking...

[hotreds]

Interesting- I had the very same LGC and the very same problem with it! I finally threw it away in disgust. Doesn't speak well of the "R"s!

[mustang1]

Originally Posted by Corona Gigante

I am very surprised you had draw problems with an Opus X. Are you sure it wasn't over humidified? Some cigars are overfilled and will never draw properly, but this is very rarely true of the higher end brands.

And no, I have come to the conclusion that it is never worth trying to smoke a cigar that just won't draw properly. Clip off the cap, take a couple of trial draws, and if it's too tight, dry box it for a couple of days and smoke something else.

The draw on the Opus was fine...it just wouldn't burn straight, it kept running and every time I corrected it..no luck. Oh yeah RH was like 62%.